National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia

2019 Metcalf Prizes for Stem Cell Research

The winners of the 2019 Metcalf Prizes for Stem Cell Research will be announced on Monday 4 November 2019. Contact Tanya Ha on 0404 083 863 or tanya@scienceinpublic.com.au to receive media information on embargo.

The stubborn
endurance of heart cells and remarkable plasticity of breasts have won two
Queensland researchers $50,000 each in the annual Metcalf Prizes, awarded by
the National Stem Cell Foundation of Australia.

For a few short days after birth, the heart can regenerate damaged tissue. Enzo Porrello wants to understand why this ability turns off, so that he and colleagues can switch it back on to heal broken hearts.

Understanding regeneration could lead to new treatments for different types of heart disease, the world’s biggest killer, from birth defects to heart attacks late in life. [continue reading…]

Heather Lee is analysing individual cancer cells to understand how some survive therapy. Her research ultimately aims to prevent relapse and lift survival rates for leukaemia.

Heather invented a way to study the genetics of individual cells more closely that will help her find out why some cancer cells are treatable, and others go rogue. With her new technique, she can see the chemical ‘flags’ that tell the cell how to interpret its genetic code. At the same time, she can watch how those instructions are—or aren’t—carried out. [continue reading…]

Jessica Mar is analysing stem cells to discover the changes that influence ageing.

We all started life as a stem cell. Throughout our lives, stem cells repair and replace our tissues, but as we age they stop working as well. Understanding how this decline occurs is fundamental to understanding—and influencing—how we age.[continue reading…]

Mark Dawson has helped to build a new drug to fight an aggressive form of blood cancer, discovering the basic science of gene expression in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), developing the drug to block that action, and leading an international clinical trial to test it.

Mark first explored how genes function in leukaemia, then identified molecules that interrupt the key genetic instructions that perpetuate cancer cells. The drug subsequently developed to treat AML is now the subject of more than 50 clinical trials around the world.[continue reading…]

Sarah is an excellent communicator. I usually find it difficult to engage in a full day's course, but I did not feel that way at this course.

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

2020-01-28T14:37:41+11:00

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

Sarah is an excellent communicator. I usually find it difficult to engage in a full day's course, but I did not feel that way at this course.

https://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/testimonials/24338

Really liked the way you trained everyone on their field to help them on their research and how they can maximise it.

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

2020-01-28T14:48:26+11:00

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

Really liked the way you trained everyone on their field to help them on their research and how they can maximise it.

https://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/testimonials/24339

I think we should receive this kind of training since graduate studies.

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

2020-01-28T14:55:33+11:00

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

I think we should receive this kind of training since graduate studies.

https://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/testimonials/24341

Well presented & great format

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

2020-01-28T15:03:20+11:00

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

Well presented & great format

https://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/testimonials/24342

Sarah's structure of the course, specific insight and understanding of science, her contacts and common mistakes made in communication were great and furthered my skills in this area.

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

2020-01-28T15:04:28+11:00

Anonymous - Sydney Jan 2020

Sarah's structure of the course, specific insight and understanding of science, her contacts and common mistakes made in communication were great and furthered my skills in this area.

https://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/testimonials/24343

This is one of the best science communication courses I have ever encountered. It teaches all research to think out of box and really simplify their research in lay man's language. I will highly recommend this to anyone looking to learn more about science communication.

Shwathy Ramesh

2020-02-24T09:29:55+11:00

Shwathy Ramesh

This is one of the best science communication courses I have ever encountered. It teaches all research to think out of box and really simplify their research in lay man's language. I will highly recommend this to anyone looking to learn more about science communication.